Terrifying experience

[TomJam]

Hello all

I just had a terrifying experience whilst practicing vipassana meditation as per the instructions in mindfulness in plain english guide. I was using lifeflow 10. Bassically I was just observing my breath and when any other physical sensations or anything came to my attention I would just observe without getting involved or try to expand or get rid of it.

Then I got this feeling that can be best described as having a rock in my chest or heart. It wasn't a constricting feeling or a feeling of preassure, just felt like a rock was in there. It wasn't very nice but the guide said that there would be some not very nice feelings and that was ok, so I went with it and just observed it and went back to my breath. The feeling got more intense though and I kept going back and forth between it and my breath, trying not to get wrapped up in it and just observe. As I did this I got a very uncomfortable feeling all over that I can't even begin to put into words. Then all of a sudden something started rushing out of me. It wasn't a stream, it was coming out of my entire body at a huge rate and I felt like I was going up too. I could also hear a loud noise as if a plane was going down. I tried to push through it but it got more and more intense and I just couldn't do it anymore, so I opened my eyes, had a quick stretch and left my meditation room. As soon as I left I felt very calm and peaceful so the feeling didn't stick with me.

Any ideas on what this might have been or anyone experienced anything simmilar. Should I have just pushed through it and let whatever happens happen. I started to feel I would die if I kept going. I am not one to scare easily either, but this was really scarry.

Thanks all

[pollyanna]

Hi there Tom,

I have never experienced anything like this, however I have seen posts before from some people before who have struggled with focusing on the breath. Perhaps you could try the free Discover Meditation course and/or cut down on the time of your meditation sessions. Here is a link that may be of great help to you:-

Principles of Meditation & Entrainment


Let us know how you get on and I wish you much peace and joy

[Edwin]

Over time I have learned 2 things about Vipassana:

- It is not something for beginners in meditation
and
- As it can be very intensive to practice, it is best done with a teacher

I agree with Pollyanna, stick to the meditation course for now.